Alexandria arena plan raises questions on future of placemaking

The plan has spurred debate about whether Potomac Yard is the appropriate place for an arena and whether public funding should be used. It has also raised questions about the future of placemaking — the popular concept of creating not just any old place, but a “place,” with dense, walkable mixed uses that attract people to want to live, work, mingle, play and visit.

If Potomac Yard, already advantaged in many respects, can’t become a great place-made place without an arena and public help, what does that mean for the viability of mixed-use placemaking as a planning and development principle? Lots of sites are envisioned to blossom into lush placemaking gardens, but there are only so many arenas to go around. Read more

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GWU Hospital lays off dozens, citing ‘challenging time’ in health care

George Washington University Hospital has initiated a round of layoffs, the hospital has confirmed to the Washington Business Journal, citing what it calls a “challenging time” in health care.

The D.C. hospital has has eliminated about 60 positions, or “less than 3%” of its workforce. Read more

Bowser doesn't want to keep Capital One Arena going without the Wizards, Capitals

D.C. Mayor DC Mayor Muriel Bowser isn't accepting the Washington Mystics as a consolation prize at Capital One Arena if the Wizards and Capitals move to Alexandria. Read more

Reston's Comscore locked in proxy battle with activist investor

Since investing in Comscore Inc. nearly three years ago, investment group 180 Degree Capital Corp. has been pressuring the media analytics company to shake up its board of directors, arguing that the makeup of the board is among the factors weighing down Comscore's stock price.

But so far Reston-based Comscore has not complied, so this week the activist investor escalated that campaign. Read more

Novavax is laying off a chunk of its workforce — again

Gaithersburg’s Novavax is laying off a significant portion of its headcount, again — bringing more clarity to a vague cost-reduction plan the company telegraphed in November. Read more

Another leadership change at a D.C.-area nonprofit

The Northern Virginia Health Foundation announced Monday that Courtney Rice will replace longtime CEO Patricia Mathews . The change is the third already this year for local nonprofits. Read more

Taco Bamba nixes return to Chinatown — at least for now

Taco Bamba Taqueria has pulled the plug on its planned return to Chinatown as the surrounding Penn Quarter area continues to confront a witches’ brew of elevated crime rates, diminished office occupancy and the pending departure of District's professional basketball and hockey teams to a new arena in Northern Virginia.

This Weekly Edition was compiled by Alan Kline Questions? Comments? Concerns? Send them to [email protected]